5 Misconception About Nursing

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Kunle Emmanuel
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5 Misconception About Nursing

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

1. “A nurse is an assistant… a lower version of a doctor.”

FALSE

Many years ago this might have been considered true, but not any more. Modern nurses are skilled, knowledgeable and work independently as part of a team of healthcare professionals.

Nurses are responsible for making sure patients receive the most appropriate care in the most suitable way, and nurses’ roles are constantly developing to meet patient needs.

Senior or specialist nurses are usually very well qualified, holding one or more post graduate qualifications, and are highly respected for their clinical knowledge.

2. “Nurses are stuck in a hospital all day.”


FALSE

There is a huge range of nursing roles on offer, in many different locations. It all depends on what kind of nursing you want to do, and where and how you want to do it.

3. “Nursing is not very technical: it’s not for people who want to – or could – do a degree.”

FALSE

To become a registered nurse you will need to take a diploma or a degree, which are usually three-year courses if undertaken fulltime. There are also some part-time courses available. Diploma courses will be phased out between September 2011 and early 2013. From September 2013, all new entrants to the nursing profession will need to study for a degree.

During your studies you will spend half your time doing practical placements in different settings and in different areas of nursing. This will develop your clinical knowledge, observation and communication skills, and you will learn how to analyse patient needs and evaluate the impact of your interventions.

Once you qualify, the learning doesn’t stop.

To remain on the Nursing Regulation body register, all nurses must do continued professional development (CPD). This could involve anything from training courses or conferences, to studying for specialist qualifications and leadership development.

4. “Nurses work awkward shift patterns, with long and hard hours.”

FALSE

Like any profession, nursing can be challenging and demanding at times, but also very satisfying.

Full-time nurses work a standard from 35 to 40 hour week. Different roles have different requirements: anything from shift work to normal office hours, and plenty of options in between.

Nursing job supports flexible working, so whatever your circumstances you can usually find hours to suit you.

5. “Nursing only suits a certain type of person.”

FALSE

There’s no such thing as a specific ‘nursing type of person.’ Nursing attracts – and needs – men and women with diverse backgrounds, skills and
qualities.

Many of the skills needed for nursing are highly transferable and desirable in other professions:
• communication and inter-personal skills
• critical/analytical thinking
• project management
• leadership
• creative thinking
• strategic planning
• financial/budget management
• time management.


source:nurseland
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funmi onabanjo saibu
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Re: 5 Misconception About Nursing

Unread post by funmi onabanjo saibu »

I love this, thanks for taking the pains to explain.
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Kunle Emmanuel
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Re: 5 Misconception About Nursing

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Nursing is a scientific profession, and with modern technology. It is not a dirty job of carrying faeces, vomits or urine.

Nursing is not about receiving instructions or orders from doctors but working with member of the multi-disciplinary health team which consists of doctors, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, radiologists etc.

Nursing profession is not for the poor and lowly of the society. There are big and top people who are nurses all over the world. The founder of modern nursing (Florence Nightingale) was a daughter of very rich parents in Italy.

Nursing is not a female profession; it is only dominated by female. It is opened to males; there are male nurses. Male nurses are pleasant as well.

Not every lady wearing the white uniform is nurse. There are auxiliary nurses, which are not constitutionally recognized in Nigeria. Therefore, anybody carrying out nursing duties without being trained and registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria is a quack.
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Sister Nadi
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Re: 5 Misconception About Nursing

Unread post by Sister Nadi »

When it comes to nurses, some still have visions of sexy women walking through hospital hallways in tight-white dresses and little white caps. No surprises there! That's just one of the many media stereotypes people have developed about the nursing profession over the years. While there are, of course, attractive women in the field, not all nurses are'sexy', not all where tight white dresses and not all are women. Here are five more myths that nurses have to defy every day:

1. Nurses Are Merely Doctors'Helpers

Unfortunately, this myth has stood the test of time. Far from being gofers, nurses diagnose and treat patients every day. But aside from these, they are also in charge of patient advocacy and education so you know you're in the right hands. Nurses see dozens of patients every day, work incredibly long hours and have very little time for themselves. The next time you see a nurse, don't think of him or her as a doctor's lackey, but as someone skilled in their chosen profession.

2. Nurses Want to Be Doctors

They aren't medical school drop-outs or people that couldn't make the cut. Nurses are in the profession because they are passionate about their careers. While doctors are trained to diagnose and treat symptoms, nurses are trained to provide holistic health care. This training is what makes your nurse stop by your bedside to chat as compared to a doctor who is in and out of your room in five minutes.

3. Nurses Are Women

While it's true that the majority of people in the field are women, there are also men in nursing. About six percent of the profession is made up of the male gender, and these men are extremely competent at their jobs. Unfortunately, popular television shows continue to perpetuate this myth. Men are just as capable of nursing as women. And they are passionate about it too! The next time you see a nurse, don't concern yourself with his or her gender. Be mindful of the care that nurse can provide.

4. Nurses Aren't as Smart as Doctors

Registered nurses spend at least four years in school and many still choose to advance their nursing education. Nurses must successfully complete rigorous schooling, survive clinicals and be able to think quickly on their feet. Your nurse is just as intelligent and no less competent than your physician. Nurses teach, perform research, publish papers in journals, diagnose patients, treat illnesses and administer medication. Don't underestimate your nurse. We made it through an intense training program in order to become licensed.

5. A Nurse Is a Nurse

Are you one of the many people who think that a nurse is a nurse, period? Just as there's a difference between a pediatrician and a gynecologist, nurses hold different responsibilities and choose different career paths. A pediatric nurse, for example, has specialized knowledge when it comes to children's health. There are a variety of job opportunities within the field, and most require specialized training beyond four years of nursing school. Many nurses have undertaken online MSN programs in order to further their careers. There are different nursing specialties to suit the care you needed.

It's unfortunate that the nursing profession is steeped in such deep-seeded stereotypes. If you are considering a career in nursing, you should know that you are entering a field that is ripe with opportunity and personal fulfillment. Don't buy into the misconceptions because nursing is a vast and exciting career.
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Re: 5 Misconception About Nursing

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

@ Funmi, u are welcome.
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Re: 5 Misconception About Nursing

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

1. We don’t wear all-white uniforms.
2. No, we stopped wearing caps a long time ago.
3. We do more than pass medications.
4. We do more than just clean up “poo.”
5. This is not Grey’s Anatomy – we’re not secretly sleeping with all the doctors. Nor is this House – we do the blood draws.
6. No, not every “nurse” is the same. There is a profound difference between a Registered Nurse and an Auxiliary Nurse Assistant (about 6-8 years of education)
7. We actively collaborate in the decision-making process and don’t just take orders.
8. No, we are not all women.
9. No, we work in other places besides hospitals and physicians’ offices.
10. No, we didn’t fail at becoming doctors. We chose this profession.

What would you add?

By :Ifeanacho Jioke Ahijado
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